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Tobramycin Coupon - Tobramycin 2ml of 40mg/ml vial

tobramycin sulfate

Generic Nebcin
Used for Eye Infection, Bacterial Infection, Cystic Fibrosis
Used for Eye Infection, Bacterial Infection, Cystic Fibrosis

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that's used to treat several types of bacterial infections. It used to be known as the brand name Nebcin, but is now only available under the generic name tobramycin. This medication is usually given as an intravenous or IV injection into the veins in the hospital or at your provider's office. While side effects aren't common, tobramycin has serious potential risks, such as hearing loss and kidney problems. To lower your risk, your provider will closely monitor your dosage, hearing, and kidney health and measure the level of tobramycin in your blood.

Last reviewed on August 22, 2023
basics-icon

What is Tobramycin?

What is Tobramycin used for?

How Tobramycin works

Tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It works by preventing bacteria from making certain proteins. As a result, the bacteria can't survive and spread throughout your body.

Are you looking for information on tobramycin eye drops or ointment (Tobrex) or tobramycin inhalation (Tobi) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNebcin (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassAminoglycoside antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Tobramycin?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • See Other Side Effects.

Other Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Low energy
  • Confusion
  • Itching

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Nervous system side effects: hearing problems, ringing in the ears, dizziness, numbness, tingling, muscle twitching
  • Serious kidney problems: tiredness, dry and itchy skin, low appetite, urinating less than usual, foamy or bloody urine, muscle cramps
  • C. difficile-related diarrhea: fever, stomach pain or cramps, foul-smelling diarrhea, frequent bowel movements (up to 15 times per day),
  • Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of eye or eyelid irritation not present before use of this medicine

Symptoms of overdose

Increased watering of the eyes

itching, redness, or swelling of the eyes or eyelids

painful irritation of the clear front part of the eye

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Burning or stinging of the eyes

Eye ointments usually cause your vision to blur for a few minutes after application.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Tobramycin

thumbs-up

Pros

Works well to treat infections caused by many types of bacteria

Can use for adults and children

Dosage is carefully adjusted by your provider

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Cons

Might need to be given as often as every 6 hours

Requires close monitoring of blood tobramycin levels to check how well it's working and for safety

Might worsen medical conditions such as kidney, nervous system, hearing, or muscle problems

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Tobramycin

pharmacist
  • Make sure your provider knows about all the medications you take, especially diuretics (water pills) or other antibiotics. Certain medications can interact with tobramycin and raise your risk for kidney damage.

    • Tobramycin can cause diarrhea. In general, it should go away when you stop taking the antibiotic. But call your provider as soon as possible if you start having watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping tobramycin. These can be signs of serious infectious diarrhea that needs to be treated right away.

      • Seek medical help right away if you experience any confusion, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, muscle twitching, tingling, or seizure. These could be signs of nervous system side effects from tobramycin.

        • Contact your provider if you develop other symptoms of an illness or if your symptoms become worse. Tobramycin can only treat infections caused by bacteria, so it won't help if you have an infection caused by a virus or fungus.

          Tips for using tobramycin at home (if instructed by your provider):

          • If you need treatment with tobramycin for a long time, it's possible that your provider might let you take the medication at home. If so, make sure to follow your provider's instructions carefully so you use tobramycin properly and safely. Your provider might instruct you to use vials of the medication that need to be mixed and prepared for administration.

            • If you're using tobramycin at home for long-term treatment, make sure to set a reminder for your doses. It's important to get all of your doses of tobramycin and finish your treatment course, even if you feel better. Otherwise, your infection might get worse or become harder to treat.

              • Mark your scheduled provider visits and blood work appointments on your calendar. This will help your provider make sure that tobramycin is treating your infection and that it's as safe as possible for you.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Tobramycin

                Can I take tobramycin if I'm allergic to penicillin?
                If you're allergic to penicillin, you can probably take tobramycin safely. This is because the medications are two different types of antibiotics. tobramycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, whereas penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic. They work differently in your body to treat similar infections. If you're allergic to one, it doesn't mean you'll be allergic to the other.
                Is tobramycin a steroid?
                No, tobramycin isn't a steroid. It's an antibiotic that's used to treat infections. Steroids don't work to fight against bacterial infections.
                How long do you use tobramycin?
                The typical length of treatment with tobramycin is 7 to 10 days. But your provider will decide how long you need tobramycin based on how bad your infection is and whether you're having side effects.
                How long does tobramycin last in the body?
                After a single dose of medication, it takes up to 15 hours for most of tobramycin to leave the body for people with healthy kidneys. This time frame is based on an estimate of the medication's half-life, which is a measure of how long it takes the body to clear the medication from its system. The kidneys help the body get rid of the medication. So when the kidneys aren't working as well as they should (like in people with kidney problems), it can take longer for the body to remove the medication.
                Is tobramycin safe during pregnancy?
                Studies reported that some children born to mothers who received aminoglycoside antibiotics similar to tobramycin during pregnancy had hearing problems, including deafness. Because of this possible risk, tobramycin should only be used during pregnancy if it's clearly needed. Make sure to tell your provider if you're pregnant before receiving tobramycin.
                What bacteria does tobramycin treat?
                Tobramycin treats many types of bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, E. coli (Escherichia coli), and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Tobramycin can be used as part of empiric therapy, which means it's used to fight against (cover) several bacteria when it's not known which specific bacteria is causing an infection. It can also sometimes help fight against certain resistant bacteria (bacteria that's difficult to fight off, even with the use of many antibiotics).
                Can I use tobramycin at home?
                Possibly. Tobramycin is a medication that needs to be injected. So most of the time, you'll take your antibiotic treatment at a hospital or at your provider's office. However, there are some cases where you might be able to inject tobramycin at home. If this is the case, your provider will teach you how to prepare and take your antibiotic treatment. Be sure you understand the instructions for administering tobramycin completely. And if you have any questions, contact your provider or pharmacist.
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                warings-icon

                What are the risks and warnings for Tobramycin?

                Tobramycin can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Risk of nervous system side effects and hearing loss

                • Risk factors: History of brain, nervous system, or hearing problems | Taking other medications that cause nervous system or hearing problems | Taking too much tobramycin | Premature and newborn babies | Older age | Dehydration (low fluids in the body)

                  Tobramycin can cause nervous system problems, including dizziness, numbness, tingling, muscle twitching, and even seizures. Tobramycin can also cause ringing in the ears or permanent partial or total hearing loss, typically in both ears. Your risk is higher if you're also taking medications that can cause hearing loss, such as diuretics (e.g., furosemide (Lasix)). Depending on how long you need tobramycin treatment, your provider might test your hearing regularly throughout treatment. Seek medical help right away or contact your provider if you notice changes in your hearing, numbness, tingling, or muscle twitching. They can help you manage these effects.

                  risk-warning

                  Kidney problems

                  • Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Taking other medications that cause kidney problems | Taking too much tobramycin | Premature and newborn babies | Older age | Dehydration (low fluids in the body)


                    Tobramycin can damage the kidneys. Sometimes, kidney damage can cause your body to not make urine as well. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can harm your kidneys. Your provider will check your kidney health through urine and blood tests while you're getting treated with tobramycin. They'll adjust the dose or stop the medication if it's hurting your kidneys. Contact your provider if you notice signs or symptoms of kidney problems, such as tiredness, dry and itchy skin, low appetite, urinating less than usual, foamy or bloody urine, muscle cramps.

                    risk-warning

                    Risk of harm to unborn babies

                    It's possible for aminoglycoside antibiotics like tobramycin to cause harm to unborn babies, such as hearing loss. Because of this risk, make sure your provider is aware whether you're pregnant before starting tobramycin treatment if possible. Depending on your infection and your risk factors, your provider might consider using a different antibiotic from tobramycin.

                    risk-warning

                    Serious allergic reactions

                    • Risk factors: Allergy to sulfites

                      Serious allergic reactions to tobramycin are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). It's also possible to have severe skin reactions to the medication. Additionally, some tobramycin products contain an ingredient called sulfite. Certain people might be sensitive to sulfite and have an allergic reaction to it. Depending on your reaction, your provider might switch you to another antibiotic. Call for help right away if you notice hives, peeling or blistering skin, difficulty breathing, a choking sensation, swelling around your eyes, swelling of the lips or tongue after using tobramycin.

                      risk-warning

                      Diarrhea from Clostridioides difficile infection

                      Antibiotics, including tobramycin, raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening. Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection.

                      This type of infectious diarrhea is different than the diarrhea you might get as a possible side effect of tobramycin. C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, fever, nausea, foul-smelling diarrhea, bloody stools, or frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day). This is a medical emergency, so get medical attention right away if you experience any of these symptoms. You'll get tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment, if needed.

                      risk-warning

                      Development of drug-resistant bacteria

                      Your provider will monitor your treatment with tobramycin to make sure you're taking the antibiotic for the appropriate infection and amount of time. Using tobramycin for any shorter or longer periods of time or taking the antibiotic for other illnesses can raise your risk for developing infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This raises your risk for severe and life-threatening infections that might be difficult to treat.

                      dosage

                      Tobramycin dosage forms

                      Typical dosing for Tobramycin

                      Tobramycin is given as an infusion into the veins (intravenous or IV) or injection into the muscle (IM). It's given by a provider in a healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, office, nursing home).

                      This medication is given anywhere from every 6 hours to every 12 hours. Sometimes, providers give tobramycin every 24 hours.

                      Your dose and how often you need tobramycin injections depend on your age, your weight, what type of infection you have, how serious it is, whether you have kidney problems, and your tobramycin blood level. Your provider will find the right dose and treatment schedule for you.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Tobramycin and other drugs

                      Tobramycin may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Tobramycin. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      • Ataluren

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      contraindications-icon

                      Tobramycin contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Tobramycin will not be safe for you to take.
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                      Tobramycin Coupon - Tobramycin 2ml of 40mg / ml vial
                      vial (2ml) 40mg/ml of tobramycinTobramycin Coupon - Tobramycin 2ml of 40mg / ml vial

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (n.d.). Sulfite and sulfa drugs.

                      Baxter Healthcare Corporation. (2023). Tobramycin injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      Bush, L. M. (2023). Pseudomonas infections. Merck Manual Consumer Version.

                      View All References (14)

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Klebsiella pneumoniae in healthcare settings.

                      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). E. coli (Escherichia coli).

                      Colston, J., et al. (2018). Bone and joint infection. Clinical Medicine.

                      Grennan, D., et al. (2019). Home intravenous antibiotic therapy. Journal of the American Medical Association.

                      Krause, K. M., et al. (2016). Aminoglycosides: An overview. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine.

                      Lopez, N., et al. (2011). A comprehensive review of abdominal infections. World Journal of Emergency Surgery.

                      Naber, K. G., et al. (1973). Pharmacokinetics of the aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin in humans. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

                      Norris, A. H., et al. (2019). 2018 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the management of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Clinical Infectious Diseases.

                      Pandey, N., et al. (2023). Beta-lactam antibiotics. StatPearls.

                      Reddy, P. (2016). Empiric antibiotic therapy of nosocomial bacterial infections. American Journal of Therapeutics. 

                      Reyhanoglu, G., et al. (2023). Tobramycin. StatPearls.

                      Stankowicz, M. S., et al. (2015). Once-daily aminoglycoside dosing: An update on current literature. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.

                      Tamma, P.D., et al. (2023). IDSA 2023 guidance on the treatment of antimicrobial resistant Gram-negative infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases.

                      Wong, G., et al. (2014). How do we use therapeutic drug monitoring to improve outcomes from severe infections in critically ill patients? BioMed Central Infectious Diseases.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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